Posts Tagged: photography

For the Beauty

Noticing Beauty While Depressed

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Psalm 19:1 KJV

Turning My Page

There have been so many reminders in the past few weeks of God’s delight and presence in my life.

Everything is bursting with color and creativity. In the past few weeks, I have experienced spectacular skies filled with clouds that looked like they were painted on and vivid fall colors just outside my window. I’ve had to pull the car over to snap pictures and sit in awe of sunsets and sunrises over lakes and oceans. I feel like I am constantly slack jaw. The funny side effect of noticing beauty is that I breathe more deeply.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Beauty

My daughter’s humor never ceases to bring us joy.

 

And then there are my children. Their pumpkin creations this fall have brought

 

me endless giggles.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turning Your Page

Depression has an awful way of blinding us to the beauty around us. Noticing and delighting take practice when out of use. With God’s help, we can push back and declare what the Lord has done for us.

  • Record in words or pictures the beauty around you this week. Some are tiny, some are big, but all have the power to remind us that God is not distant and loves to delight our souls.
  • What scriptures speak of noticing the beauty of God’s creation?

Creator, just wow! You did all this for my well-being and delight? Thank you. Amen

Scumbling

When the canvas is brushed black,

And my vision can’t penetrate the opacity

of your masterpiece–shadows of sorrow thicken.

But, you keep painting over my doubts with sunrises.

Psalm 139: God’s Complete Physical

Lord, you have given me a complete physical and you know the state of my mind, body, and soul.

My daily planner lays open before you.

My thoughts are front page news as you sip your morning coffee.

When I leave for work, or shut the computer down for the night, you observe.

The bottom line, you have made my life your business.

My words are filtered through your righteousness.

and you determine their worth.

 

You have a 360 degree view–there is not a side of me hidden from you.

I don’t get a personal bubble.

I don’t understand why you are so intimately involved and I’m not sure

I want to.

 

There is no escaping your activity in my life. Your Spirit is everywhere!

Of course you are in charge of the heavens,

and I can’t find a bunker deep enough to hide from you.

I can sit in first class on American and you are there.

You are the navigator of my ship directing my course, like a

father with his child, through a sea of people I could easily be lost in.

 

Let’s face it, I can’t play pick-a-boo with You.

You are a giant flashlight illuminating my soul.

 

In fact, You sewed my soul together, in my

mother’s womb.

You hold the first 4-D image

of who I am.

And you give your stamp of approval,

who am I to argue with that!

 

When I was nothing more than a lump of clay, you

knew what I would become.

You have the first edition of my life

before a word was ever written.

 

I am eager to know your thoughts.

I do not have a databank

large enough to contain them.

That you choose to share your plans

with me when I awake, amazing!

 

So why do my enemies come between us!

Please remove them, I can’t stop thinking about

their threats and schemes.

Haven’t I obeyed you, and they have not.

Ultimately I know their fight is with you.

When they stand against me, they stand

against you.

 

We are back to the beginning. Since You know me so well, you know

that I fear how strong my enemy seems. If there is anything that offends you remove

it so that you stay my companion forever.

 

 

What Helps

There have been several relief avenues that have emerged from my walking through this journey of grief. Some of them where childhood things left in the dust of adulthood, rediscovered. Others are completely new.

  1. Art: A friend invited me to join art class. I find myself growing still and quiet as my fingers discover and work the paints into new images.
  2. Walks: From the fragrance of leaves to the critters playing through the trees I am reminded of God’s provision for me. I have a heightened awareness of the union of life and death in nature.
  3. Photography: A new love and discovery. I delight in capturing new perspective through my lens.
  4. Blogging: Discipline, discipline, discipline! I am learning that writing through grief keeps me opening myself to God’s provision and joy daily.

 

As you walk through challenges, what new avenues of input and expression are you finding? Feel free to share; you may help others to discover ways of persevering.

Christmas 2015

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Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

The Jonathan Tree                         Daniel(8) and Natalie (6)

 

Cookies for Santa, My little shining lights, stain glass window in our church

2nd Annual Photo Scavenger Hunt

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Natalie made her first trip to the farm with her class this year and it got me reminiscing about taking Jonathan to the farm with his class. He wasn’t too sure about “milking the cow”, but he loved the wagon ride and talking about God’s creation.

What are some of your favorite Fall/Winter activities with family, friends or kids?

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2nd Annual Photo Scavenger Hunt

Last year I began a Christmas tradition of sharing a photo each day and inviting you to share your own photo of a similar activity or memory. Starting December 1st I will share some of my favorite memories of my son Jonathan and I encourage you to join in the fun and share special moments with me as I share them with you. Invite friends and family to get involved.

Photo Scavenger Hunt begins December 1st and ends December 20th. I will post a picture of some of my favorite Christmas memories with Jonathan and give your photo assignment each day. (PLEASE LET ME KNOW THAT YOU WILL BE PARTICIPATING.)

Rules:

1. Be respectful of others and their property.
2. Ask permission before taking a picture.
3. Have fun and invite as many friends and family as possible to be involved.
4. Describe your location.

5. Respond in the comment section.

 

Suicide & Prevention Hotline

National Suicide Hotline

If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call the National Suicide Lifeline at 988 or go to the website at https://988lifeline.org/